A male barrister who engaged in 'unwanted sexual conduct’ with a woman, including putting his hands down her skirt and touching her bottom, has been fined £3,000.

According to a decision published by the Bar Tribunals & Adjudication Service (BTAS), Kevin Barry was found to have touched the woman’s face and told her she was beautiful, tried to kiss her, and placed his hand down the top of her skirt and squeezed her bottom on more than one occasion. The incident took place in 2014 at a bar.

Barry also ran his hand up and down the woman’s skirt on more than one occasion without her consent while in a taxi, the BTAS ruling said.

Barry was called to the bar by Lincoln’s Inn in November 1997. A Kevin Barry called in 1997 is listed as a tenant at The 36 Group, which has been approached for comment. 

Barry was also reprimanded. The BTAS’s decision is open to appeal. 

This week the Gazette explored whether there is substance to the perception that the BTAS is more lenient than the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.